Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Weapons Amnesty

7:00 pm

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 68: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of firearms and knives surrendered under the recent amnesty by the closing date of 31 October 2006; if he is satisfied with the number of items surrendered; the steps that were taken to promote public knowledge of the amnesty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41920/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that a total of 822 firearms, 108 knives, 40 swords, 32 assorted offensive weapons and a quantity of ammunition were surrendered under the recent Weapons Amnesty.

An extensive national awareness campaign was undertaken to promote the Amnesty. The campaign included advertisements in the national and provincial newspapers and specialist publications together with a high visibility billboard campaign. In addition 20,000 information leaflets were printed and circulated through Garda Stations throughout the country and a website was launched to provide extensive on-line information in relation to the Amnesty.

The purpose of the Amnesty was to afford people an opportunity to surrender illegally held weapons before the introduction of the new mandatory minimum sentences provided for in the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The new sentences, which came into effect on 1st November, 2006, provide for mandatory minimum sentences of between 5 and 10 years for a range of serious firearms offences. These include: possession of firearms with intent to endanger life, max. sentence of life, mandatory min. sentence of 10 years; prohibition of use of firearms to resist arrest or aid escape, max. sentence of life, mandatory min. sentence of 10 years; possession of firearm while hijacking a vehicle, max. sentence of 14 years, mandatory min. sentence of 5 years; possession of firearm in suspicious circumstances, max. sentence of 14 years, mandatory min. sentence of 5 years; carrying firearm with criminal intent, max. sentence of 14 years, mandatory min. sentence of 5 years; altering a Firearm, max. sentence of 10 years, mandatory min. sentence of 5 years.

I want to emphasise that I was never of the view that serious criminals were going to come into police stations and hand over their firearms. However, I was satisfied there were people with guns and offensive weapons in their possession who might find it difficult to come forward or to admit that they had them in the house and that the amnesty would afford them an opportunity to surrender such weapons safely. This indeed has proven to be the case.

I am satisfied that the Amnesty has been very successful and fully achieved its aims.

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